July 2011
good morning A friend in the village has just had a total gearbox failure on a Skoda Octavia diesel at 35,000 miles. its a 2006 reg.... Read more
Slow drivers are the most hated on the road, allegedly.
Lets define:... Read more
Most of the time slow drivers are not good drivers, there's a road I drive most days, a B road admittedly, but perfectly drivable at 40-50mph, yet nearly every time I'm on it, you will be in a queue behind someone bumbling along at 30, and who slows down to sub 20 mph speeds for the corners, you know things are bad when tractors are catching you up.
On another road yesterday, A road this time, behind a guy in an Ibiza who never went above 40 and was deep in an animated conversation with his passenger, he was weaving all over the road, if I wasn't on the bike, I'd have found it difficult to get by him....
At Classics on the Common last night there was a trio of FS1Es and a couple of other sports mopeds. This reminded of rather a long time ago when I rode a Honda SS50. Despite moving onto a scoooter and then a proper motorcycle (before the 125 limit) I never got around to taking my test. Anyway this got me to thinking - I have a full licence that covers mopeds BUT could I ride a FS1E or Fantic on it, or just one of those awful twist 'n' go things? Read more
Nearly rammed some poor spotty yoof the other day by accident, he filtered to the front of the traffic light queue on his sports bike, he was wearing full leathers on his crouch-rocket - problem was - unbeknown to me - it was a moped. He was in 4th gear by the time he crossed the lights going by the frantic throw of his right wrist in desperate execution of his clutch-less shifts. Honestly - I could have walked faster. I thought it was a proper bike and was gonna get away quickly so I toed it assoon as he started moving to get across to another lane rapidly followed by an emergency stop as this 'ped went nowhere. Mopeds have never been slower.
Hi looking for help.
Just replaced the front discs on the car, which was pretty straightforward and something I've done often on other cars.... Read more
Thanks for all replies- this is the first time I havn't replaced the discs/ pads as a set and it'll be the last.
Yesterday I made my annual trek to Harpenden’s “Classics on the Common”. With over 1000 cars, assorted trucks and buses, and a large array of motorcycles and scooters there is something for everyone. Various vehicles caught my attention but one really stood out. It was more in the realms of a custom that a classic car. Someone one had lavished thousands of hours in creating a PA Cresta Coupe using a Jaguar floorpan. The thing about this special was that it looked just right – the doors had been extended and the arches flared so that the body looked like it was made like that originally. The interior and under bonnet were also perfect. If there was a car of the show this was it! Read more
As previously mentioned, it was a mammoth project-but it leaves me scratching my head. I can understand sneaking a modern engine, brakes, and suspension into an old car but isn't the interior half the point of a 'resto mod'? Fair play to the builder though, it's certainly unique!
Any experiences with the Toyota Hiace on here?
Probably a 1996 - 1999 diesel version. ... Read more
The thought had crossed my mind!
Bought a new car battery two and a half years ago . Came with 3 year warantee . It exploded whilst being trickled charged
... Read more
The battery exploded because it was overcharged causing a build up of hydrogen from electrolysis. The fault lies with the charger not the battery. I bought a battery from a scrappy for a tenner. The guarentee was "if it doesn't work, bring it back". You could buy 9 of those for the cost of a £90 new one....
I am trying to read the faulty codes of Chrysler Voyager 2.5 td 1996 VM. No chance so far tried a lot of ideas.
Any idea ? Read more
I was wondering if there is a way to read the code as flash count of the service engine light or may be on the odometer digits ?
I have a PDF manual that says OBD III protocol is implemented to read information from PCM, however my reader is OBD II and doesn't recognize the protocol....
Not wishing to be either a cheapskate nor a spendthrift, but willing to pay a fair price for a Focus Estate 1.6 Zetec or Ghia, 05-08 from a main dealer, I have bought a Parker's Guide, consulted Parker's online, obtained a CAP price for one at auction (which I was told are currently running at £500 below actual prices?), and purchased a Glass's price online.
My first surprise was that they appear to be cheaper than the equivalent hatchbacks.... Read more
However some of these advertised cars are 'bait' and either never existed or are long since sold. The idea being get you in to talk about other stuff !!
Oh dear when I bought the Scenic I did not realise there were problems with the windows, dash etc. Shame as we bought it to tow our caravan and it is great.
2003 but it is a Scenic 2 1,9 Diesel. Rear window broken but that was just a bhroken clip. Front left window not working and assumed that the clip had broken also but all intact and looks OK. Also the clip is green and I think has already been replaced. Taken the motor and assembly out but do not know what the fault is. No point in getting another motor if it is the wiring. How can I test the motot and switches.I have a test meter but need to to know which pins should have power etc. Should have tried it when the other door was stipie down I suppose. Any ideas?... Read more
Took my son-in-law's 2005 Megane in to local Renault dealer for a service. When it came out the driver's regulator was not working. I complained insisting it was working when I left it that morning. They investigated and found one of the pins in the connector to the regulator had backed out. He added that failing regulators had been the subject of a BBC Watchdog programme and that Renault were being very sympathetic to post warranty claims.
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It's not a fluke - this is a fairly well known problem as the rebuilder's web page suggests. This is probably a product of the VAG bean counter division again...
Unfortunately you can't establish a precise preload when fixing components with a rivet, especially when the parts to be joined are hardened. Bolts can be wound up until they stretch. Without preload, torque cycling will loosen the crownwheel with devastating results....